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Untitled Article
Bartholomeus had found his text , the latter answered that he had dis covered it very near that which Janus had himself produced . The exposure of this trick brought the contest to an end . Janus , mortified by his deifeat , quitted Pisa , and Bartholomeus was fixed higher than ever in the esteem and favour of Lorenzo . »
Although Bartholomeus enjoyed high reputation at Pisa , he does not appear to have been at any time perfectly satisfied with his situation . This was probably occasioned in part by the circumstances of the Academy , but it chiefly arose , there is reason to believe , from the fickleness and capriciousness of his temper . The state of his mind at this period disposed him t 6 listen to a flattering overture made to him by the seriate of Venice , to accept the juridical chair at the University of Padua , which was strengthened by the
offer of a large addition to his annual salary . His engagement with the Florentine Government had not at this time been completed . When , therefore , he had determined to remove , he thought it necessary to plan his measures with the utmost secrecy . He collected together his books arid other property , among which were some articles of value pertaining to the Academy , which had been deposited with him in trust to be used during the term he held his office . Having carefully concealed these in some Lucca wine casks , he had them privately conveyed out of the city : He afterwards
attempted to escape under cover of the night , but being betrayed to fche magistrates by a Florentine servant , he was arrested in his flight , and sent prisoner to Florence . Here he was shortly after brought to trial for the double offence of violating his engagement , and purloining the property of the State , declared to be guilty of treason against the Republic , and sentenced to lose his life . Lorenzo , however , interposed to prevent the execution of this harsh sentence , alleging that he who excelled in science ought not to be put to death ;* adding , that if they lost this Sociiius it were vain to look for another . *)*
The Senese took a deep interest in the fate of their illustrious countryman during these proceedings . They sent a special ambassador to Florence to treat with the Government for the liberation of Bartholomeus . The Florentines raised every possible difficulty to obstruct and defeat the negociation , and at length fixed upon conditions that , they were well aware , would be tantamount to an absolute refusal . They demanded sureties to the amount of 18 , 000 florins , 10 , 000 of which must be obtained in Florence , and 8000 were to be procured at Siena . At the latter place , the amount was raised
without difficulty , but it was found impossible to procure the stipulated sum at Florence , it being understood that the persons who might come forward to pledge themselves for it would be sure to incur the displeasure of Lorenzo . The negociation being thus broken off , Bartholomeus remained a prisoner . His confinement was , however , but of short continuance ; for Lorenzo not only restored him to liberty , but in the course of three years reinstated him in his professorship at Pisa with an augmented salary of 1000 florins . It is scarcely possible to believe that the Florentine Government , in the extraordinary severity of these proceedings against Bartholomeus , " were Actuated by the single view of the real offences alleged against him , whatever aggravations might have attended them . Nothing , indeed , could excuse the
* Huic turpi judicio audacter obstitit Lauren this , ilia tmtrpans verba , —exceUentem in arte morinon debere . Fabronius , in Vita Laurentii Medeqs , p . 5 £ . . % f Si hunc perdidiremw ubi atium Socinum inveriimw . Pariciroluu in Vita B . ' Soctnh
Untitled Article
Memoirs of the Soeini .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1827, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1794/page/29/
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